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CN-121971021-A - Optical light guide, endoscope, method of making and using the same

CN121971021ACN 121971021 ACN121971021 ACN 121971021ACN-121971021-A

Abstract

Optical light guides, endoscopes, methods of making and using optical light guides. The invention relates to an optical light guide 1, 19, 20 having a plurality of optical single fibers 3 combined into a bundle 2 and at least one sheath 4, 5 covering at least one section of the outer periphery of the bundle, the at least one sheath 4, 5 being made of ceramic.

Inventors

  • H Joseph
  • P. Stenger
  • R. Kreiser
  • B. Kuwei
  • S. page

Assignees

  • 直观外科手术操作公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20200702
Priority Date
20190704

Claims (10)

  1. 1. Optical light guide (1) comprising a bundle (2) of optical single fibers (3) and at least one sheath (4, 5) covering an outer periphery (15) of at least one section of the bundle (2), characterized in that the at least one sheath (4, 5) is made of ceramic and is arranged in the region of a tip (18) of an endoscope (100).
  2. 2. The optical light guide (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one sheath (4, 5) follows a non-linear route, in particular the sheath (4, 5) has at least one direction change.
  3. 3. The optical light guide (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the optical light guide (1) comprises at least two sheaths (4, 5) each covering one section of the outer periphery (15) of the bundle (2), preferably the sheaths (4, 5) are arranged at each of two ends (6, 7) of the bundle (2), wherein one of the two ends (6, 7) is arranged at the tip (18) of the endoscope (100).
  4. 4. The optical light guide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sheath (4, 5) has at least two or more changes in direction (8).
  5. 5. An optical light guide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sheath (4, 5) comprises a cross-section (9) of varying shape along at least a part of its course.
  6. 6. The optical light guide (1) according to claim 5, wherein the cross-sectional areas of the varying shapes of the cross-sections (9) are the same.
  7. 7. The optical light guide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one gap enclosed by the at least one sheath (4, 5) between the filaments (3) is at least partially filled with adhesive.
  8. 8. The optical light guide (1) according to claim 7, wherein the adhesive comprises a chemically hardenable adhesive, preferably an epoxy adhesive, and stabilizes the filaments (3).
  9. 9. The optical light guide (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section (9) of the sheath (4, 5) narrows along its course and/or an end region (10) of the sheath (4, 5) comprises a cross section area, in particular a central region (11), which is smaller than an area located at a distance from the end region (10).
  10. 10. Endoscope (100) with an optical light guide (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in particular wherein light can be guided between a distal end (13) of a shaft (12) and a proximal end (14) of the shaft (12) or during use by the optical light guide (1).

Description

Optical light guide, endoscope, method of making and using the same The present application is a divisional application of chinese patent application 2020800489577 (PCT/US 2020/040623) entitled "optical light guide, endoscope, method of manufacturing and using an optical light guide" filed on 7/2/2020. Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application claims priority from european patent application No. 19184544.5, entitled "Optic light guide, endoscope, method for producing and using an optic light guide (optical light guide, endoscope, method of making and using an optical light guide)" filed on 7/4 in 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field The invention relates to an optical light guide having a bundle of a plurality of optical single fibers and at least one sheath covering at least one section of the outer periphery of the bundle. The invention also relates to an endoscope with the optical light guide. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an optical light guide. Finally, the invention relates to the use of an optical light guide for the purpose of guiding light between a proximal end of a shaft and a distal end of the shaft. Background Light guides of the above-mentioned type are known. For example, they are used in endoscopes for the purpose of directing light from a light source from a proximal end to a distal end of an endoscope shaft, for example, to illuminate a point in a cavity to be inspected. Alternatively, the light guide may guide an image captured at the front (field of view) of the endoscope to an image sensor at the proximal end of the endoscope (e.g., in the endoscope handle). In this case, the light guide guides the light reflected from the tissue to the imager. For the purpose of manufacturing optical light guides, it is common practice to securely enclose a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers by a sheath, which allows the fibers to be packed at the maximum possible density. Subsequently, if the sheath is an end sheath, for example, the bundle may be trimmed to a desired length and ground and/or polished to form a flat end. The sheath thus constitutes the fiber sleeve of the optical light guide. However, one recurring problem with existing optical light guides is that they occupy a relatively large amount of installation space, for example when they are installed in an endoscope. Since endoscopes are often introduced into narrow lumens for examination thereof, it is desirable to design an endoscope with an endoscope shaft that is as narrow (or as thin) as possible. Since the light guide is disposed along the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft, the diameter of the shaft is largely defined by the thickness of the optical light guide. At the same time, however, the weight of the optical light guide is as small as possible, since the user often also needs to lift the weight of the light guide installed in the endoscope, for example, when using the endoscope. Furthermore, the present invention may provide alignment of the front face (light entrance surface and/or light exit surface) formed by the light guide in a region of the endoscope tip that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the light guide or endoscope shaft but transverse to (or at an angle to) the light guide or endoscope shaft, as necessary. In this regard, reflective surfaces (e.g., mirrors) are often used, however this may take up additional installation space and sometimes add to the overall weight of the optical light guide. It is an object of at least some embodiments of the invention to improve the use characteristics of previously known optical light guides and/or endoscopes of the type described above. Disclosure of Invention According to the present invention, an optical light guide according to claim 1 is provided. In particular, according to the invention, an optical light guide of the above-mentioned type is provided, wherein at least one sheath is made of ceramic. The ceramic has the advantage that the shape can be selected very easily and the material of the sheath is strong and stiff enough to provide stability and robustness. In addition, the ceramic sheath has a relatively smooth surface compared to other materials (e.g., metals) and facilitates insertion and setting of the single fibers as bundles at a desired bundle density. Furthermore, ceramics are non-conductive materials, which means that the sheath provides additional insulation for electronic components (e.g. imaging modules or image sensors). Thus, no additional insulator is required for the purpose of insulating the sheath, which would take up additional installation space. In the following advantageous embodiments of the invention are described, which may be combined with the features of the other embodiments alone or in combination with the features of claim 1. According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one sheath may follo